Collection of rare lures allures fishermen

Collector Vengrouskie: "I think more of the lures that we're collecting were made to attract men more than fish."

DECATUR, AL (WAFF) -

The allure of fishing is common for folks raised in a river town. Catching the big one has often been determined by bait or lures.

Fred Vengrouskie says he has been collecting lures since 1986. "I was reading an article in Field & Stream Magazine and I ran across a picture of a fishing lure that looked familiar. So I went home and pulled out my dad's old tackle box," he said.

From then on, as the saying goes. he was hooked.

"I was raised about a quarter of a mile from Pickwick Lake in the Shoals area, and a lot of these old fishing lures I have actually fished with," said Vengrouskie. Between his dad and his uncles he gained a wealth of experience and a love for fishing.

One particular lure is called a Creek-chub Wiggler. It was made somewhere around the World War I era. And in this area of the country he would have been used to fish for bass.

"Most of the lures I collect are from the 30s and 40s. They're handmade and most of them are made by women," said Vengrouskie. "I think more of the lures that we're collecting were made to attract men more than fish."

He said they are simply pleasing to the eye. "We sold a lure to a gentleman in Japan. A couple of weeks prior to that, one went to Russia."

He is so fond of collecting, he goes to trade shows where lures can be bought, sold and traded. He even belongs to a local club. And he has some advice for those interested in collecting.

"Several of the collectors in the club have written books. It's a good place to start, Vengrouskie said.

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